118 Chapter 118: You will never be my rival

'How dare that dumbass say that there is no need for her to explain? Can't he see how messed up this is?'

'Oh my God!! if I had not intervened, they wouldn't even get married by the time I have kids.'

She shook her head suddenly wiping the image from her mind. 

She was damn sure that even if she didn't love another person, she wouldn't fall for him given these rumors. This was one hell of a mess!

Stella patted her shoulder mentally praising herself for thinking about clearing things up. She didn't have to imagine to know how messed up things could turn into if she let it be.

Hazel watched a myriad of expressions flash on her face. Fury, disbelief, and at last relief.

'Ah... so her little devil was right!!'

She could hear that wicked laugh ring in her head when she praised him. 

Hazel exhaled as she said, " I really don't like to be the reason for conflict between couples. So, don't be mistaken, Usui loves you and just you."

Stella closed her eyes, 'Yes that is what I would like to say as well. Zeke loves you and just you alone.'

Seeing that Stella was still gawking at her, she went on to promise her something which she would regret later in the future.

"I can promise you that I will never come between you both and that I will never be your rival. I will never love him, not in this lifetime or next."

Hazel uttered those words desperately as she didn't want to be on tenterhooks with this lovely girl. But those words, still hit her badly that she even thought of retrieving it immediately. 

For some reason, she felt as if she would regret uttering those words.

But she stood her ground as she knew that she couldn't be selfish. If she was not the person destined to be with him or who cannot give him happiness. Then, what right did she have to stop him from going after his happiness?

Little did she know, that his happiness always laid with her and only her! 

Stella froze when she heard those words. Her eyes widened as she thought, 'Never fall in love?'

She thought back to what Zeke said, 'She doesn't love me. So there's no need for you to explain anything'

Stella shifted her eyes towards Hazel and stuttered, "Y-you didn't really tell that to him right?"

"Tell him what?"

Stella's complexion paled as she gaped at her. She knew without a doubt what her answer was but still, she asked for that small hope building inside her.

"That you will never fall in love with him?"

Stella whispered as the small hope burned away, "Those exact same words?"

Hazel turned her head away from Stella instantly as regret and guilt stabbed her heart. She clenched her hand tightly behind her as she tried to forget his pained expression away from her mind. Those golden eyes filled with despondency was far worse than her nightmares.

Hazel stared at the sky refusing to look at her as she knew how evil of a person she was. She knew Stella wouldn't forgive her for hurting her boyfriend but she had no other choice than mumble softly, "Yes"

Stella shook her head and rubbed her forehead fully understanding why the guy was being cold to her.

Suddenly, she remembered what Zeke said, 'She doesn't love me'

Stella glanced at Hazel with her furrowed brows. Looking at her gazing at the sky with a troubled expression on her face made Stella wonder why Zeke said that. It was very obvious that Hazel regretted hurting him. She could see it in her eyes but then why did he say that?

Stella mumbled, "Are you sure that you won't love him?"

Hazel's ears perked up slightly and peeked at her from the corner of her eyes. She saw Stella looked at her with anticipation making Hazel frown.

'Why isn't she believing me?'

Hazel nodded her head and said, "Yeah"

"Why?"

"What?"

Hazel looked at her in shock. 

Stella asked again, "Why do you say that? Is it because you are trying your best not to fall for him?"

Hazel staggered on her feet as she looked at her unbelievably. 

'What does she mean by trying my best to not fall in love?'

'Why should I even try for that when I'm sure of it?'

Hazel thought furiously as she ignored the growing itch in her heart.

Hazel exhaled heavily and said, "Look, I don't know what you are after but I would tell you one thing. I don't love him and I'm sure that I would never love him. So, there's no question of trying here. And, last but not the least, I'm not going to be your rival. So please don't think of me like that."

Stella watched as Hazel splurted all those words at one go and take deep breaths. She tilted her head, smiling at her, and thought, 'Oh... she's trying to not fall in love. But why though? Why is she trying so hard not to fall in love?'

Hazel shook her head after a minute and sighed, "Just don't mind me. That's all I wanted to say. I am taking my leave now."

Stella snapped out of her thoughts when she heard her words. Her eyes widened as she suddenly said, "No, wait I haven't finished."

Hazel ignored her and hurried her steps towards the exit all the while shouting, "I'm not your rival."

Stella watched Hazel running away in disbelief.

'You will never be my rival'

Then she groaned when she thought of how she didn't clear the rumors and instead worsened it.

She screamed frustratedly, "Damn it"

'Just why wasn't she allowing me to talk?!!!'